Avatar - The Last Airbender (Storyteller Version)

Interlude IX

A few days later, Aang and the others found themselves traversing down a dreary, polluted river. It brought them to a rundown, dreary-looking fishing village situated in the middle of the river. Aang and the others learned that the cause of the pollution was a nearby Fire Nation factory not too far from the village. As a result, there was little food to eat, and so the villagers were not only hungry, but sick as well. Katara was eager to do something, but Sokka objected.

"Look, we only have a few weeks to get to the Fire Nation in time for the invasion and the eclipse, which, by the way, only lasts for eight minutes. And we just lost a whole day! It's gonna take some serious finagling to get us back on track."

Infuriated with her brother's attitude, Katara decided to help the villagers herself, and she had an idea how to do just that. First she convinced Appa to go along with her plan, and the bison cooperatively pretended to be sick so that they could stay. Then, disguising herself as a mysterious spirit known as the Painted Lady, Katara traveled night after night to the factory, smuggling food and medicine for the desperate villagers. Aa a result of Katara's actions, joy and hope returned to the village. Sokka, however, wasn't quite so sure if the people's troubles were finished.

"If she really wanted to help, she would use her spirit magic to blow up that factory."

He was only joking, but Katara figured her brother was probably right. When she set off for the factory that night, however, someone followed. Aang, desperate for medicine to cure Appa, had decided to ask the Painted Lady for help, too. But he quickly discovered who she really was.

"Katara? So you've been sneaking out at night? Wait, is Appa even sick?"

"He might be sick of the purple berries I've been feeding him, but other than that, he's fine."

Katara was ashamed for lying to everyone in order to help these villagers, but Aang saw the situation in a different light. "I think it's great! You're like a secret hero!"

"Well, if you wanna help, there's one more thing I have to do."

Together, Katara and Aang infiltrated the factory and dismantled its machinery with their bending. The factory exploded, and the muck stopped flowing from the pipes. Pleased with themselves, the two of them set back to camp. Unfortunately, Sokka had discovered Katara's deception, too, and he was very angry with her.

"Katara, what you did put our whole mission in jeopardy! We're leaving right now!"

But just as they prepared to leave, the children spotted Fire Nation soldiers zooming toward the fishing village on jet skis. Sokka glared at his sister.

"The army is gonna blame the villagers! They're headed there right now to get revenge!"

"Well, what was I supposed to do?"

"Leave! Do nothing!"

"No! I will never, ever turn my back on people who need me! I'm going down to that village, and I am gonna do whatever I can."

Hearing this, Sokka thought for moment, then decided to help Katara after all. "You need me, and I will never turn my back on you."

At the fishing town, the Fire Nation soldiers and their leader, General Mung, had declared to destroy the village as punishment for destroying their factory. But Aang and the others had an idea to stop them. With Sokka, Toph, and Appa making eerie noises, Katara strode into the village, once more wearing her disguise. The furious General rushed the "Painted Lady", blasting fire, but Aang, concealed beneath Katara, diverted the attack and airbended Mung into the filthy river! The terrified general and his troops retreated. The villagers were overjoyed... but Katara had to tell them the truth.